San Bartolomé (Lanzarote)

San Bartolomé (Saint Bartholomew) is a town and municipality on Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. In 2022 the municipality had a population of 18,989, but this includes Playa Honda beach resort and Arrecife Airport, both effectively part of the capital Arrecife. San Bartolomé itself is small.

This page also describes sights in Tinajo municipality just north. The big attraction there is the northern portion of Timanfaya National Park, but it's convenient to describe that along with its southern portion accessed from Yaiza.

Understand

This area was shaken by the eruptions of the 1730s but the ash and lava moved west, so the local soil was not ruined, and farmers could continue to grow vines and potatoes on older volcanic terrain. But the soil was thin and vulnerable to over-use, storms towards the end of that century washed much of it away, and the village was forced to shift west to its present location. It grew into a municipality stretching to the south coast, while north is the municipality of Tinajo, and west are the volcanic badlands unsuitable for agriculture.

Get in

San Bartolomé is 8 km northwest of Arrecife on Highway LZ-20.

Buses 16, 52 and 53 run every hour or two from Arrecife to San Bartolomé, taking 15 min. They continue north to Mozaga, La Vegueta, Mancha Blanca, Tinajo and La Santa.

1 Av de las Palmeras the main bus stop is how San Bartolomé is shown on timetables. It's central in town.

Get around

The town is compact but you need wheels to explore this municipality.

See

• Museo Etnografico Tanit, C Constitución 1, San Bartolomé (100 m southwest of main bus stop), ☏ +34 928 802549. M-Th 10:00-14:00. Fascinating museum in an 18th-century mansion, packed with artifacts of island history. Adult €6, child free. (updated Nov 2023)
• Iglesia de San Bartolomé the principal church is 18th century, on Plaza León y Castillo 200 m west of the bus stop. St Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles. He may have travelled to India, but more likely to the Caucasus regions of Armenia and Azerbaijan, where according to the hagiographers in 70 AD he was drowned then crucified upside down then skinned alive then beheaded. This is not the reason he gives his name to several hospitals.
• Casa del Mayor Guerra west edge of town is closed as a museum but has a viewpoint and is occasionally an event venue.
• Lanzarote Art Centre 2 km north of town is only open by appointment.
• 1 Casa Monumento al Campesino (House of Monument to the Peasant), Mozaga (junction of LZ-20 and LZ-30), ☏ +34 928 520136. Daily 10:00-18:00, restaurant 12:00-16:00. Yet another project of César Manrique, it's called a museum but more like a collection of artisan workshops. Free. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Montaña Tamia is a volcanic crater west of the village of Tao. You can hike around the rim for views.
• 3 Mancha Blanca is a village on the road to Tinajo, with the picturesque 18th-century chapel of Ermita de Los Dolores just east. Two roads from the village lead into Timanfaya National Park: west on LZ-87 passes the main sights, south on LZ-56 passes Montaña Los Rodeos and Caldera de Los Cuervos. All sights in the Park are described as part of Yaiza.

Do

• Lanzarote Karting is by LZ-20 1 km southeast of town. It's suitable for children and beginners. Staff speak good English and the centre is affiliated to the UK National Karting Association.

Buy

Monumento al Campesino

• San Bartolomé stores are east side near LZ-20. There isn't a big supermarket.
• The market is held first Sunday of the month 09:00-14:00 on Plaza León y Castillo.
• Mercado Agrícola Tinajo is held in Mancha Blanca opposite the chapel on Sunday 09:00-14:00.

Eat

• Near town centre are Bar Avenida, Café Barreto, Pizzeria El Callejon, La Barraca and Bar La Plaza.
• On LZ-20 going north are Baya Baya and Lolita bakery.

Drink

• Bars in town are Lo Nuestro, Capiblas and El Campesino.
• Vineyards near town are La Florida, Los Bermejos and El Grifo.

Sleep

• 1 Finca Rural José Manuel, C César Manrique 100, San Bartolomé, ☏ +34 672 250852. Self-catering rooms south edge of town. Some have been renovated and are pleasant, the others are dark and dingy. Double (room only) €100. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Casa Natura, C Juan de Bethencourt, San Bartolomé, ☏ +34 660 474039. Pleasant country hotel with 5 rooms, pool and good dining. B&B double €110. (updated Nov 2023)
• 3 Finca de la Florida, C El Parral 1, San Bartolomé, ☏ +34 928 521124. Glowing reviews for the rooms at this vineyard, with a restaurant dome where you dine under the stars. B&B double €100. (updated Nov 2023)
• 4 Caserio de Mozaga, C Malva 8, Mozaga, ☏ +34 928 520060. Charming small hotel with 8 rooms, good restaurant and garden. (updated Nov 2023)

Connect

As of Nov 2023, San Bartolomé and its approach roads have 4G from MasMovil, Orange and Vodafone, and 5G from Movistar.

Go next

• Arrecife the capital has two island castles, one a museum and the other an art gallery.
• Teguise the former capital is best known for its Sunday market. Lagomar is a mansion designed by César Manrique.
• Timanfaya National Park can be accessed via Mancha Blanca, but is described as part of Yaiza.
• Playa Honda beach resort is part of San Bartolomé municipality, but has its own party-going character.